National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) VIC EDUCATION PROGRAM 2012

Grief and Mindfulness: the Zen way of turning suffering inside-out

Time:                  9.30am-4.30pm (Registration from 9.00am)

Date:                   Wednesday May 9th 2012

Venue:                State Library of Victoria, 1st Floor, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne (enter

    from LaTrobe St, Entrance 3)

Cost:                    NALAG Member/Conc/Student $160 Non Member $200

In this workshop participants will be introduced to the Zen approach to loss and grief. The training will demystify the Zen way of 'mindfulness' to make it available as a tool for dealing with our own experiences of living and dying, as well as for empowering and supporting others in situations of loss and grief. In particular, this will include the use of mindfulness in relation to difficult and unpleasant emotional and physical states associated with loss and grief. Here participants will be guided through exercises of shifting from cognitive to more awareness-based ways of being and experiencing. The workshop as a whole will aim to inspire participants to consider adopting mindfulness as a regular practice personally and professionally, in a way which integrates it into their everyday lives.

Outcomes:

·         A theoretical understanding of Mindfulness

·         The development of mindfulness in practice

·         The application of mindfulness emotionally

·         The application of mindfulness interpersonally

Target Audience:

Counsellors, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Teachers, Emergency Services staff and others in a helping role. This workshop is endorsed by APEC No 110825003 as authorised by Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) according to approved criteria. Attendance attracts 5 RCNA CNE points as part of RCNA’s Life Long Learning Program and 5 NALAG OPD/CPD points.

Presenter:

Seikan Cech, a Zen monk with a professional background as a clinician, psychotherapist, acupuncturist, and educator. He works widely with people and groups from different walks of life and in different situations, such as end-of-life situations, chronic and degenerative illnesses, substance use problems, chronic pain, and mental health and emotional issues, including related to bereavement. Seikan's primary interest is in supporting people to become more present and to reconnect with our inherent wellness inclusive of whatever are our circumstances. Seikan is the founder and director of the Melbourne Zen Centre and Melbourne Zen Hospice.

Registration includes;

·         A Certificate of Attendance

·         Morning and Afternoon refreshments, (Lunch byo or purchase. There is a good coffee shop ‘’Tulks’’ onsite)

To register/pay;

·         Please visit http://www.nalagvic.org.au/ed-educatsessions.htm or phone: 0448 563 670 (message bank), 1800 100 023 (Freecall country Vic) or email info@nalagvic.org.au  

•          Registration fee is not refundable but is transferable.